Doctor abandons medicine, becomes pipeline vandal

When Salifu Odiba gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at University of Jos in 1996, his dream was to one day own his hospital.

But two years after his graduation, the 35-year-old doctor abandoned his stethoscope and chose life on the fast lane by joining pipeline vandalism cartel.

Odiba, who was recently arrested in Kogi State by the Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, Force Headquarters, said he was attracted to the illegal business because it was lucrative.

He said, “I spent eight years studying Medicine and Surgery in UNIJOS and graduated in 2004 and later served in Bauchi State. A year later, I got a job at Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission where I practised for six months. But I was later asked to leave.

“I moved to Kogi in 2006 and it was there that a friend introduced me to the business. I was making good money and later got a part time job at Federal Medical Centre. I received N90,000 as monthly salary which was not enough for me. So, I stuck to the pipeline business.”

The suspect added that he even had a part-time job at another hospital but the commission he received was too little.

Describing his modus operandi, the Kogi State indigene said he acted as a middleman for the vandals and buyers.

He said although he never destroyed a pipeline, he was actively involved in the business and soon became popular.

He said he was usually paid commission by pipeline vandals and buyers after he had sold the products.

“People started calling me ‘oil doctor’ because I always had ready buyers for all kinds of petroleum products. Oil business is very lucrative especially in Kogi State where as many as 17 trucks of petroleum products could be siphoned and sold in one night,” he said.

Odiba lamented that the medical profession was no longer as prestigious as it was due to the “large number” of people practising it.

“People don’t visit hospitals like before. These days, many Nigerians prefer to take self medication,” he said.

Narrating how he was arrested, the suspect said he was contacted by a source at Lokoja, the state capital, who claimed to have large quantities of oil in a barge.

He said he was on his way to finalise the deal when policemen arrested him.

Odiba, who vowed not to return to crime if released, burst into tears when narrating the hardship he had suffered in the past.

He said although N90, 000 was not a poor salary, the pressures of having to take care of his siblings fuelled his greed.

He said, “I have four siblings and my parents are retired. I am the first son and through this business, I have been able to sponsor two of my siblings through university and they have graduated. I don’t spend the money I make on myself. I have a fiancée but I can’t even afford a wedding now.

“I don’t want my siblings to suffer and I did this for them. Crime for me was due to a quest for survival but I promise never to go back to it. I spent last year’s Christmas in police custody after being arrested in Kaduna. This year again, I’m spending my Christmas in detention.

“I’m tired of this life of crime and I promise never to go back to it again. My dream is still to own a hospital and even while doing the oil business; I rendered free medical services to people.”

Odiba, who was arrested and detained for a similar offence last year, said he was released and warned when investigation showed that he only played a minor role.

The Officer in charge of the task force, Friday Ibadin said Odiba’s case was proof that not only miscreants were into the illegitimate business.

He said, “The suspect was arrested at Lokoja. Ajaokuta specifically has become a haven for these criminals. The business is very lucrative because a tanker of crude oil could be bought illegally for as low as N800, 000 and resold at N5m during scarcity.

“This is economic sabotage and it carries a life sentence. Members of the public are hereby warned to stay away from the nation’s pipelines.”

so what if its a doctor,they are not super human or immune from crime are they? mengele hitler’s physician and one of the most evil men was a medical doctor..the simple fact is that here is a nigerian professional who was driven to crime due to the prevailing circumstances

Gideon Orkar

There goes your subsidy money and some mumu people will still blame GEJ and Okonji for increased subsidy spend.

obene1

Odiba, you are a disgrace to the medical profession, and all JUMSITES in particular. Your allusion that few people attend hospital nowadays owing to their preference to self medication is false, hollow and farcical.The fact is; you barely trained and barely practiced.
You spent 8yrs reading medicine (instead of 6yrs) and your employment with Delta Oil Producing Commission was terminated after only 6months — these are academic and character indicators.
Any sanctions from NMA or MDCN ?

Akin Akin

To be terse, that is where avaricious greed has landed him!!!

Well, no one should be surprised, there’s too much emphasis on wealth and money in our society. A society that puts premium on how much you have and not the values you have cannot expect anything better than an headline like this.
If a doctor can lead the serene (?) environment of an hospital & prefer the path of dishonour, then things are horribly bad in our Nigeria…As a country, we need to appraise our values!!!

Albeit it can be said that poverty, unemployment,injustice& societal imbalance are factors that have increased crime in our society…Some can also contend that he took crime because doctors are poorly paid. For such ppl, i quite agree that salaries of nigerian doctors is a far cry from their colleagues in other climes…but if i may add, apart from politicians& ppl in the oil & gas industry, the problem of poor pay is not limited to doctors alone, it applies to other professionals! And again, we should bear in mind that the medical profession has not always been the ‘billionaires profession’ . Anyone that is looking forward to be named by Forbes cannot be a medical practitioner!!!

Nevertheless, crime cannot be justified ‘cos no matter how buoyant a country is, some will still prefer the shortcut (crime).

Oga Akin you always reason before you comment on Punch. You brain is full of wisdoms and focused thinking. You are well learned and educated not educated illiterate and sentimentalist like Ojukwu, Peter2000. May God increase you with vast knowledge of thinking.
Remain blessed.
— A.C Ciroma

chuka

the issues are that u have people being prosecuted for subsidy thievery but as we all already know, their parents are govt and PDP magnates and we all know how the justice system runs in this country….thoes men will go scot free as long as SANS are busy plotting technicalities of escape……..Doctor na human, and so long as the society refuses to put recognose merit and adore criminals, crime will still be seen as a get away…an easy get away from hardship…doctor or no doctor

Bobby

@Akin Akin, I have always read your comment on many issues on this space (Punch). But this time you got it wrong. This guy has committed no crime whatsover, he has only taken his share of the commonwealth through means available to him. We have got PhD holders, Doctors, Professors, etc in Govt. stealing with reckless abandonement, why shouldn’t anyone who has the means to steal the oil do same. Every sensible, smart Nigerian should be stealing the oil before it dries out, or you think living opulently on oil wealth is the exclusive reserve of selected few. The oil belongs to all, so long as you are a Nigerian you are entitled to it too. Societal values has since eroded! so let it be!.

Not until those saddled with the responsibility of wealth distribution does the right thing I will never blame oil thieves. When every national from across the globe are coming to Nigeria to steal oil at the behest of our government officials, why can’t Nigerians do the same? Disgraceful society……

bright

Oga Akin agree with you 100%,we have so many of them in all professions,but ther one very that has been a thief for long time now,Oga DOYIN OKUKPE,this man should be investigated as well.

bright

Oga Akin i agree with you 100%,but what about oga DOYIN OKUKPE,this man is one of the biggest thief,he should be investigated and tried.Gog bless Nigeria.

Benjamin Esezobor

I want to believe this so-called Doctor’s problem is absolute spiritual. not satisfied with these amounts he gets from his profession, though averagely ok but not a license to commit vandal, he has to seek God’s help before he commits morder if allowed in his profession and suicide when prevented from his profession.

Datti

This guy has finally lost his practicing licence. The Medical Council will definitely blacklist him. And to poverty he goes!

AbdulWasiu Akinyemi

No matter what you earn once there’s no blessing in it or you’re not contented, then you become insatiated like this pseudo doctor. He should be investigated thoroughly giving the fact that he was once relieved of his job at a FMC. I doubt if his certificates are credible or genuine.

jj

thank God dis doctor quit in time if not ,if not he will kill his patient for money

osagie jacobs

I agree with you. He is a native doctor.

candosky

He didn’t do anything different from what Alison madueke does everyday at NNPC. She vandalizes her own pipeline with pen. Please release this guy ASAP and arrest the actual thieves in NNPC. If you let go the $12 billion oil windfall and allow IBB to work freely on our streets, you have no moral justification to detain this guy beyond 5 minutes.

Peter2000

Did this guy actually study medicine, or he bribed his way through the University of Jos school of medicine. Yes Unijos is known for producing a ton of quack doctors.

Don’t be a moron! That’s an advice, not an insult. Jonathan was still shoeless in the creeks when this poor specimen of a doctor attended your “famed” Unijos. He wasn’t the superintendent then! If your so-called Unijos is such a Harvard, this idiot doctor [and I seriously doubt if he really is a medical doctor] couldn’t have been allowed to graduate, let alone practice anywhere. He’s worse than half-baked because he never was in the oven ab initio. He was fired from Delta for professional incompetence. Nobody needs read the tea leaf to conclude that. Little wonder why anybody and everybody who can afford to is in a mad dash to leave the country for Germany, U.S., U.K., Saudi Arabia, or India for their healthcare. Too much quackery in our healthcare system, it’s worrisome! It gives me a ton of comfort that my doctor is not a Nigerian.

ozaluoku

FIRST DO NO HARM…HIPPOCRATIC OATH IN MEDICINE..BUT IS MEDICINE NOT A NOBLE PROFESSION OR WELL PAYING ANYMORE..HE CAN EASILY GAIN EMPLOYMENT ELSE..MUST U OWN UR OWN HOSPITAL?HUMAN BEING ARE JUST INSATIABLE..FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY

HERO

THIS STORY HAS REALLY SPOILT MY XMAS.IF WE HAVE REACHED A STAGE WHEN A MEDICAL DOCTOR ABANDONS A DECENT PROFESSION TO JOIN A BUNCH OF VANDALS,THEN IT IS ALL OVER.

jinglebell

@peter2000,just as ur clueless tribeman,jona and his umblella wife did at uniport.

Peter2000

@@@@@jinglebell,
we know where most Nigerians( civil service millionaires) buy fake degrees and certificates. I can assure you, uniport is not on this list.

ade

uniport of all schools!u are a joke.

Yomi Agboola

What wrong has this doctor done to warrant his arrest ?His picture and name should proudly be displayed in the country’s hall of fame in the category of the likes of IBB, OBJ,ABACHA, and the oil subsidy bleeders who walked freely after looting our oil.Nigerian SAN’s ! What are you waiting for? Go and defend this guy by seeking court injuction to free him back into this lucrative business;he would handsomely pay for your services with just one more transaction.This doctor is a genious!More professionals should rise up to the challenge by joining him in this lucrative business They dont have to acquire safety training as they are already smart.Is the national cake meant for the dumb people alone. But the guy should stay away from medical practice for now as he can mistakenly administer drug overdose or even one of the petroleum products to patients as past leaders and officials did to nigerians in the past.IG Abubakar! why are you still keeping him? Release him now or resign honourably.

John Effiong.

No one should blame this guy. What of the Senate President and his gang of bandits that have been stealing billions from us?

Afam

@candosky,your type encourages evil,no matter what Deziani is doing it left for the court of law to indict her and not on the pages of newspapers and false allegations….The likes of the doctor is the same people Ribadu reported on how Nigeria is loosing billions to crude oil theft..still many of ur likes will call GEJ names at any time…

Onetribe

Are U crazy? Don’t you know that she is one of the people who are above the law? Where do you plan to get the police that will arrest her? Biko, you sound like you no be naija person. Which court will convict Deziani. If the naija court no fit convict Ibori who pleaded guilty in Britain, how can a court in Nigeria convict this “sanctified” lady? Be careful before I have you arrested for trespassing into a no-go area.

OGBENI NAIJA

NIGERIA IS ON TROUBLE,AGBERO LIKE ALADO OF MUSHIN & THE BABALOJA OF LAGOS,OLUOMO THE HEAD OF AGBERO IN OSHODI,TOKYO AND AUXILIARY OF IBADAN ALL STACK ILLITERATES ARE LIVING LIKE KINGS IN THE NAME OF POLITICAL THUGS AND CHAIRMEN OF NURTW,WHILE GRADUATES ARE JOBLESS.SOME ONE SPENT E-I-G-H-T G-O-O-D Y-E-A-R-S IN THE UNIVERSITY ONLY TO BE JOBLESS AND SOME IDIOTS WHO HAS NEVER SEEN 4 WALLS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE LIVING BIG.OKY OOOOH

OGBENI NAIJA

NIGERIA IS IN TROUBLE,AGBERO LIKE ALADO OF MUSHIN & THE BABALOJA OF LAGOS,OLUOMO THE HEAD OF AGBERO IN OSHODI,TOKYO AND AUXILIARY OF IBADAN ALL STACK ILLITERATES AND NO DO WELL CITIZENS OF NIGERIA ARE LIVING LIKE KINGS IN THE NAME OF POLITICAL THUGGERY AND CHAIRMEN OF NURTW,WHILE GRADUATES ARE JOBLESS.SOME ONE SPENT
E-I-G-H-T G-O-O-D Y-E-A-R-S IN THE UNIVERSITY
ONLY TO BE JOBLESS AND SOME IDIOTS WHO HAVE NEVER SEEN 4 WALLS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE LIVING BIG,JUST BECAUSE SOME FAKE DEGREE HOLDERS ARE IN POWER.
OKAY OOOOH.

Anthony

@Ogbeni Naija: So that is good reason for what this guy did? He is just a liar who is not contended with what God has provided for him. How many people earns over N100,000 monthly and still live well. This guy is a greedy person and must be made to face the music

OGBENI NAIJA

@Anthony am not in support of his crime,my concern is about those jobless graduates.

Uchebest

I know what the Doctor cum Vandal needs in life..guess what?he needs financial freedom but its’ quite unfortunate that he cant’ get it by going up and down in the hospital doing surgrey..this is a misplace priority i must tell you..he does not want to be tied to a stake like a GOAT thats’ d great point but he refuse to know and learn that 85percent of GRADUATES OR STUDENTS of 21st century scholastic and bookish brats re trained to be a CIVIL SLAVE cum CIVIL SERVANTS of the ECONOMY..that’s where educated bookish brats belong..he should go back to his humanitarian profession cos there are pple that where created to enjoy freedom,money and risk and they re entreprenures and business guys..traders re inclusive…others re servants of the economy including honest politicians..dishonest ones re there to make a hell of money.

whatever

Thief, just like others

John

Every Nigerian who has being caught committing crime has always claimed family pressure put them to it. Drug traffickers say it, kidnappers say it, armed robbers say it and oil bunkerers say it. When are we Nigerians going to start working hard and be content with what we have? People in other countries, even poorer countries are generally content with what they have. This guy could have started a part-time legit business on the side while doing his medical job but he chose something illegal. How many more people are doing this oil bunkering? And if all these people are helping themselves, where would the money to develop Nigeria come from. It was the current U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria that said recently that what is killing Nigeria is the get rich quick mentality that permeates our culture. Others see it but our people don’t. I weep for my country. I weep for the little children born today who have no future. Our country is a failed state like Somalia. After 52 years of independence, we don’t even have the most basic of things that every country provides to her citizens.

the hardcore

the truth is that more doctors are leaving nigeria for more greener pastures, i pity these nigerian doctors, because they work so hard but earn rubbish.does he have obasanjo or aneninh around him, then he should be released. the doctor is a human and society pressure them so much, i can feel him in a God forgotten Nigeria

lionheart

You guys Should conduct a censors for Okada riders and you will be shocked that over 50% are graduates. Many have been struggling for over 10yrs just to make a living. Europe used to be good but for economic crunch, but here in Nigeria Senators, presidents, Governors are all economic vandals so what d you expect from a poor Doctor. Over 80% of Nigerian youth will join if they find the proper link to vandalism.

Fair

May God help and deliver our youths from this prevailing economic situations in nigeria, no employment opportunity for the less privilege. The political class are clueless by giving no hope for the educated and illustrious Nigerians.

james

ijebu doctor please go

Egelege

A country that has refused to provide social welfare for his teaming unemployed youth will surfer the consequences of their deliberate neglect, since we are clueless in creating jobs lets pay the youth one form of benefit or the other either we call it unemployment allowance or job seekers allowance, but befor this we need to document nigerians. Nigeria is the only country in the world that does not know it citizens we are all undocumented from birth, activate a system where you cannot claim to be a Nigerian without been found on our data base. this is where we have fail as a nation

Benjamin Esezobor

Greed, a syndrome that is eating deep into the fabrics of this nation, this is not joblessness to the so-called Doctor but greed which is a trend affecting the youth of this nation. Deji Bankole was an example . Abajor thats why there is so much recycling in Government House with the youths excluded in the affairs of this nation Its unfortunate that we are in a failed state.

Kevin

Yesoooooooooooo

oblong head

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria please over to you. If your database is up to date provide data on this Dr. for us to see. thank you.

omoigberai Muhammed

It is a pity.this man should be properly investigated.truu anybody can be involved, I have doubt whether odiba is actually a doctor. His claim need to be verified with the medical and dental council of Nigeria. he should be investigated by MDCN and NMA,if he is a doctor involved in such a crime, he should be deregistered and banned from practicing medicine for life.

Muyi

By banning and discrediting him, then i think he’ll be exposed to more atrocity. He should be made to cough out the money he got from the deal, with a six month imprisonment, just for a lesson to others and afterwards give him a job in the civil service thats if he’s truly a Doctor as claimed. and i think such person should be under surveillance, till proven, so he wont terminate peoples lives, once bribed to do such.

Dele Odugbemi

Why for God’s sake a medical Doctor now turned out to be an oil pipeline Vandal’s agent in a country that does not have enough qualified Doctors to cater for health challenges of her Citizenry in both urban and especially rural areas?
We all should be weeping for this country because our Leaders will soon turn all of us to Criminals when all the money and resources have been stolen by those in power at all levels whose primary and secondary duties and assignments are to look after our welfare and make sure all is well with majority of the citizens in terms of food to eat, house to live in, health care to access, free and compulsory education at all levels for all Nigerians, modern and efficient transport services, security of lives and property and religion tolerance among other goodies for humanity.

Deeman

I know I’m not suppose to post this here but let me call your attention to this:
How many low cost houses can this money (16bn earnmarked for VP’s residence) built to tackle housing deficit in Nigeria?
Let’s do the calculation together:
Let’s say a low cost 3bdr flat would cost 4.5m excluding the cost of land (the govt. Isn’t buying land to build the VP’s lodge either)
16000000000/4500000
=3,555 units of houses.
A 3bdr flat will comfortably house a family of 7.
Multiply 7 by 3,555 to know the number of people this houses will shelter:
7*3,555=24885 people (conservatively) as against the VP and his immediate family members which aren’t up to 20.
Nigerians, wake up from you slumber and protest against this. The govt officials are living like Kings while the impoverished masses are asked to sacrifice! Sacrifice what? Your dinners, so that your rulers can walk on ice?

Ben

The truth is that Nigerians have sinned against God and the hardship being experienced by them is the punishment from God, no amount of protest or prayer can remove the hardship.

Deeman

*walk on marbles.

Deeman

*not ice, marbles

Chybaby

@Peter 2000@ shut the f**kup if you have nothing to say.All those thiefing govenors ministers and senators which school did thhey graduate from?

DrP2

He cannot get a car loan if he wanted one, he would not get a housing mortgage if he wanted one, he could not afford to even wed his loved one…..the story of many silent Nigerians. But many are struggling through….

yet not one political party in Nigeria has a manifestoe for social welfare to support our dying youths….how many parties have ever read the Joseph Roundtree report on safety nets or the Lord Bevridge report on transforming the five deadly evils of poverty, squalor etc….his actions are inexcusable by crime is worse in a soceity that has no institutional social and economic safety nets

ISREALDO

NO EXCUSE FOR CRIME, THE REASON OF GOING TO UNIVERSITY IS NOT TO ADVERISE YOUR APPLICANTSHIP BUT TO CREATE JOB FOR YRSELF ESP PROFESSION LIKE MEDICINE, THIS GUY IS SIMPLY A CRIMINAL WITH INSATIABLE APPETIDE FOR CONSUMPTION

Tears for Nigeria

Our country if finshing, This guy is never a doctor.. he was force into medicine by his parent or girl friend… Let understand the spirit behind medicine.. once U heart made u to chose thT FIELD URSELF ur passion to save human lives with always be there first before thinking of the money…. U will always doing anything not to sabatage the life of other pple.. But pls my check check our now adays doctor all their mind is set is the fix money and not the passion for the profession.. This is also causing a lot of trouble in our dear country hospital allowing student who are from poor background all the ever dreamt of is bacoming a doctor but the system will chose them to pay for their admission by bring some change for the admition so bcos they dont have the money..fake parent with the desire that their children study medicine will pay and the fake child will be adimited to study medicine…. Also another problem is the government the so called leders that spend money without care ttrying to make only themselves and their family happy by forgeting about the rest… Kai! I stilll believe this is not a doctor….. even if that was what he study 18157

adewale2013

merry xmas punch and everyone. Pls lets forget about this greedy doctor, unemployed youths are begging to receive half of that salary and he is there complaining because he probably got double of that from his first job. If only we can all be content with what we have

kukunmba

what is the offence of the doctor?is it stealing? no! so what offence?no offence because he did not help them in any way to commit the offence except you can show or prove that they actually sold the products to him-received the stolen products knowing it to have been stolen.he was a broker.so convicting him is not as easy as it appears.so dont be surprise when a lawyer will do the magic

Ken O

If a doctor should abandon medical profession for a life of crime, obviously means something has gone out of this world, that is what is wrong with nigeria. We could export excess doctors if you will, we could have free health care, what else do nigeria want from nigerians, do not blame this fellow release him right now,and arrest the system that push him to this

Iloha

na waoo for this doctor….. but we still to arrest oil subsidy thieves and make them cry and suffer like him

frank

MAKE YOUR MODEM (MTN, GLO OR AIRTEL) TO BE A UNIVERSAL MODEM SO IT CAN WORK WITH ANY NETWORK. CALL ZERO.SEVEN.ZERO.THREE.SIX.FIVE.FIVE.ZERO.FOUR.THREE.ZERO. (PLS, BE WITH THE MODEM AND COMPUTER BEFORE YOU CALL)

The so called doctor is a very greedy person bow can you receive 90k monthly for a part time job and still complain..but then you all would admit. That he has done no different from our top notch leaders. I don’t need to mention names now.

Omo Eko

Nigerian has long stopped producing good / qualified doctors that is why one hardly survive operation of any kind in Nigeria

Uchebest

A lawyer to do the magic on what?go thru the writeup again pls..that man has a VANDAL record..this is d second time he is been arrested..he needs to SMELL THE ROD and knw how to value $1 dollar cos as am seeing him now,he will return back again to unleach mehem to our NATIONAL ASSET.

Mosola wale

It was posted recently that a lawyer turned to be robber and also caught with riffle and ammunition. Nobody ever complain with that but a doctor that collaborate with vandals is a big topic. All those rich men hands are not clean. Most of them engage in one criminal thing or the other. Like ritualist. Kidnappers.god father for robbery gangs.name it , them between
Them and this guy who is a criminal

Bodmas

May he go to prison and never return! I think we should learn to call a spade a spade there is no other name to a greed than a greed! Do you know this vandal have put a lot of home in permanent sorrow by killing the securitymen to enable them carry out there dastard act quest for money, all his plead is just an attempt to seek undue sympathy from the public or the human right activist, they are worst than HIV and menace in the society and needs to be exterminated so let the law take it course on who ever is fond wanting for they are as worst as Boko Haram

Robinson

In a country were the minimun wage is 18,000 and some one is paid 90,000 pay month and he is not satisfied. What a greed.!!

Sola Akinwande

It is very shameful to see a trained medical doctor in this situation. This is a clear indication that value has been debased in this society. Your action is as a result of greed and love to cut corners to make money. Quick fix. If you value dignity and believe in yourself this would not be happening . Medical practice is still not as bad as portrayed by you. I have been in it and has had my own share of its financial downturn but with patience and resilience and God’s grace I am very happy today. Now a lesson is being taught and learnt. Wishing you the best.

Abbey

Dats life for u, dis man only try to retrieve small money frm his own subsidy money, dis is d problem we nigeria have, we see some pple smugling our money to oversea what we nigerian do to it but for someone dat sees small money frm dis country wealth, all of u are shouting but one thing i know is dat NOBODY ABOVE D RULE OF LAW but reverse be d case in nigeria, look @ d way our politicians in nigeria are eating our money, it left to u all, u can justify both side by urself. 10q

Isolaowoj

The man is a harden and habitual criminal, I believe he impersonated that he gain sympathy and deceive the investigators. His as sponsor and receiver he should be legally cut down now that he may develop to another Honorable Faruq Lawal, Governor. James Ibori etc.

amini

This man’s name is not in the medical and dental council’s register, or may be his name was not correctly stated by the reporter. I have just been through that register and cannot find that name.

adetokunbo

What about Farouq Lawal?Honorable Farouq Dollar, the mater has been sweep under the red carpet.so what did u expect from a doctor.

Abdullahi

Re: Uchebest
Agreed the so called doctor is 100% criminal and his action should be discourage and stop intoto but my question is that among the nigerian leaders (politicians) that suppose to lead by example who is not a criminal?

Ife

Peter2000
@@@@@jinglebell,
we know where most Nigerians( civil service millionaires) buy fake degrees and certificates. I can assure you, uniport is not on this list.

So post the list!

Isolaowoj

The man is a harden and habitual criminal, I believe he impersonated that he may gain sympathy and deceive the investigators. His a sponsor and receiver he should be legally cut down now that he may develop to another Honorable Faruq Lawal, Governor. James Ibori etc.

Isolaowoj

The man is a harden and habitual criminal, I believe he impersonated that he may gain sympathy and deceive the investigators. His a sponsor and receiver in the crime, he should be legally cut down now that he may develop to another Honorable Faruq Lawal, Governor. James Ibori etc.

lucky Agumadu

ACP Friday Ibadin should be commended or promoted for his patriotic zeal.Because it is certain that he has ignored some threats and even bribe offer after this arrest.Every body should know that this doctor is a mafia.

Bimbo Macaulay

Am highly dissapointed by the contributions of some people in surport of the Doctor’s illegal action,that means such peolple could as well encourage their children to go into stealing or robbery or what is the diffrent. Should we say because the country economy is bad we should all go into crime? then what legacy are we laying for the upcoming generation

akay

Afam
@candosky,your type encourages evil,no matter what Deziani is doing it left for the court of law to indict her and not on the pages of newspapers and false allegations….The likes of the doctor is the same people Ribadu reported on how Nigeria is loosing billions to crude oil theft..still many of ur likes will call GEJ names at any time…

Please park well, where will sentiments take you to? I’m sure you don’t have a single borehole in your village, yet this honourable thieves that are to provide it loot your money for shopping spree abroad. Lets expose the thieves and be free…

BUTTERFLY M.

Have we say goodbye to investigative journalism in this country?.This man said he graduated after 8 years of study and a year after graduation he was working at Delta State Oil Producing Dev. Commission. Why was he asked to leave after 6 months?.Did he get the boot because his quackery was discovered?.A GRADUATE from a medical school is expected to do intern ship for one year before NYSC after which he can practice.Is this oil thief licensed to practice medicine in Nigeria or is he labelled medical doctor because he is known as oil doctor by his partners in crime?I WANT TO APPEAL TO THE PUNCH REPORTER of the news to give answer to these questions.

J A Ayorinde

Its a pity not because he is a doctor but because honesty has become a sin in Nigeria. Trillions of Naira are missing routinely and the so called leaders will promise to get to the root of the matter by allocating share to investigating panels[ (Asa gbe awodi gba ki ni ere oromodie ati iya e) meaning a thief pilfers and robber robs the thief is there any gain for the owner.] Gowon once said we have money but what to do with it is our problem. It is still the same today.You can see our politicians doling out gift and money instead of making good policy and good governance. They have more than enough money, a politician in Nigeria recieve more than his US counterpart that is answerable not only to those who voted him/her but to the entire world for his/her actions. Doctor middleman your subodinates are sharing oil wells the president is taking away allocation from would be antagonist in 2015 election givin it to cronies. u hav to bear ur cross

Roy

@ Omo,please dont bring Jonathan in to the this matter.He never sent anyone to vandalize pipeline.It’s his greed that pushed him into this act!!!

Yangan77

Anybody can take to “quick money making” rout in life, whether rich, poor or of greater & respectable profession it doesn’t really count. But a good mind can’t see nothing valuable more than him/herself and will do everything to preserve that virtue without any other thing. “A criminal is a criminal and whether he/she has the best job on earth.”

Yangan77

Anybody could take to “quick money making” route in life whether rich, poor or of greater & respectable profession it doesn’t really count. But a good minded person can’t see nothing valuable more than him/herself and will do everything to preserve that virtue with no other thing. “A criminal is a criminal whether he/she has the best job on earth!”

taiwo

He was sacked after 6months in a working environment. Anyone can commit a crime. He just hasn’t learnt discipline in his field and as regards character-building thats all. And the crap abt doin dis because of his parents n siblings? 90,000 is smfin.

amnestylaw

It is quite disheartening to read stories like this. Not only do stories like this brings the medical profession to the mud, it equally belittles a nation which claims to be a giant of Africa. There is no denying the fact that poverty reigns supreme in our motherland. However, does it justify crime?? I want to believe that most of the readers of this story are one way or the other baptized with responsibilities. No Nigerian, whether graduate or non graduate does not have a family responsibility to shoulder. 90,000 naira per month is a gold mine for millions of Nigerians who are even educated beyond masters level and yet a medical doctor claims he wasn’t satisfied because of responsibilities…

Peter King.

The lust for unearned wealth and affluence is common to most Nigerian Professionals. Nigerian Doctors, Lawyers, Judges, Career Civil Servants, Men in Uniform, Politicians , Bankers, Lecturers, etc are unbelievably greedy and wicked. And if gold rusts, what would iron do?

Pity the Bush Doctor. I am sure he was overwhelmed by the prevailing challenges of living in Nigeria.

Crime does not pay at the end of the day.

john mugu

Let’s cross check all those who graduated from Jos if they are not involve in arm robbery.

muftau Oyewale

This criminal is not a medical doctor. He was asked to leave FMC after six months. Issue of fake certificate or what? Remember UNIJOS has been producing doctors since 1982. Some of their graduates are holding top positions in and out of the country. He should be investigated properly.

Alots

If ex governor can feed on it why not a common doctor.

b

even if there are no pipe line vandals where does the money go? after all its national cake, abeg show me where I can cut my own, the ITT (Fela) them they steal the money in cash, Doctor well done you have had your own share and don’t relinquished anything to the bloody government. and don’t mention names pls

Yomi

Nigerians are so gullible and thirsty for news concerning the downfall of others .This guy is not a Medical Doctor to start with.I really pity him because the prevailing circumstances and greed led him into the crime.He should be properly investigated and brought to book so he can serve as a deterrent to others like him.

dr.moses

though he has minute salary as a doctor.thank GOD HE DID NOT KILL TO MEET HIS FINANCIAL BUOYANCY AS OTHERS.he joined oil sector,and he was been sacked. he has been bad government should see to his health

Olajide Kolawole

Bobby
@Akin Akin, I have always read your comment on many issues on this space (Punch). But this time you got it wrong. This guy has committed no crime whatsover, he has only taken his share of the commonwealth through means available to him. We have got PhD holders, Doctors, Professors, etc in Govt. stealing with reckless abandonement, why shouldn’t anyone who has the means to steal the oil do same. Every sensible, smart Nigerian should be stealing the oil before it dries out, or you think living opulently on oil wealth is the exclusive reserve of selected few. The oil belongs to all, so long as you are a Nigerian you are entitled to it too. Societal values has since eroded! so let it be!.
Not until those saddled with the responsibility of wealth distribution does the right thing I will never blame oil thieves. When every national from across the globe are coming to Nigeria to steal oil at the behest of our government officials, why can’t Nigerians do the same? Disgraceful society……

I agree with you.

matt

Akin ,akin ,could you please contact me on my email ,with your phone number may be we can work together ,mattken20032001@yahoo.com,i will call you ,iam currently in Australia on holiday i live in the UK

Olajide Kolawole

This is a clear evidence that the leadership of this country have succeded in destroying the moral values in our society and we seriously need to structure a system whereby every citizen must explain his source of wealth as applicable in most countries.

Kia Aso

Most of us in this forum missed the point. This news is an opportunity for us to change things in the country.

The fact that a professional can go this low is a confirmation that all is not well in Nigeria. Government has failed the citizens and someone must help to bring issues to the attention of those that can make bring about changes. It is not all about money. This is because money is relative – e.g. N90k per month may be great when compared to a nurse earning approximately N40k. But how does that compare to other professionals possibly grossing 10 times that.

So what do we need. It is for people (credible heavy weights) like Wole Soyinka to strategise and take leadership seriously. We don’t just want Nobel Peace Prize we need people with vision to lead us to the promise. The Credible Heavy Weights (CHWs) can organise a signed petition of Nigerians demanding actions to help steer Nigeria in the right direction.

There is no benefit in judging this doc since he only committed crime he has knowledge of. The guys and gals in the Senate and House Assemblies are all professionals (lawyers etc) and yet all the stories being told daily are not always positive. This Oil Doc must receive punishment as a penance for his wrong doing. However, country needs CHWs to come out figure out a way forward.

Ay.com/twitter

Very bad medical doctor?? Guys they will soon free this guy by his Godfathers,this is just a co-ordinating business in Nigeria,a country that is rule by crooks,so what do u expect!!

nabil

Greed is the root of all lack of containment.you sabotage the same govt that you blaim for not providing good lucrative job for you.May your soul be transformed in the jail.ho this is disgusting and a shame to the profession.

Sandy Dike

I do jot understand you people. I am sure most of you condemning this doctor can do the same. How can you pay a medical doctor 90k as salary? Medicine as a course is very tough. Most of you condemning this man can not credit chemistry, physics and biology not to talk of passing medicine as a course. After spending 8 years ( horsemanship + youth corps), you receive such money. I can’t believe this. May be this is why some doctors depend on abortion money for survival. I will rather do what this young man did than to depend on abortion money for survival.

Ed

This guy is simply talking trash…..

the hardcore

most commentators here are just being hypocitical or are jealous that they are not doctors.the perm sec in federal ministry are doing worst day in day out,the custom officers do worst,,nigerian governors and president are unrepentant rogues, i think we should cue into his smartness and not the crime, stay there do jaw jaw, our leaders knew there is no country called nigeria. the military generals are worst off milking the country to coma. i salute your courage doctor I LUV U GREATLY for mastering your destiny.STOP BEING JEALOUS BECAUSE HE IS A DOCTOR. deep down in you, u can do much much more.our social fabric has collapsed. we must introduce BUHARI/BAKARE TO SANITIZE NIGERIA

core

I salute your courage for clearly stating that the system is faulty. Most people out of self imposed ignorance overlook the reality. The difference between looting in government and the trivial crimes in the society is humongously gigantic. Nonetheless, crime no matter how small is non pardonable.

Owerri

Mr oil Dr, u are a devilish human being. So ur prayers is to let people continue to fall sick all d time so as to make fortunes out of someone,s sorrows. Maybe by tomorrow u will as well join B/H.

Owerri

Mr oil Dr, u are a devilish human being. So ur prayers is to let people continue to fall sick all d time so as to make fortunes out of someone,s sorrows. Maybe by tomorrow u will as well join B/H. @ the hardcore, this guy is not a qualified medical doctor, he must be a quake doctor. For him to jettison 90,000 Naira monthly wages means this man must be a habitual criminal. How many Nigerians earns such amount as salary including additional job at his disposal, stop commending evil. Ur bro is pure devilish.

Ajayi olupona

He was arrested this same period last year for the same crime and was pardoned probably because of his profession and degree in medicine ! I am of the opinion that if mr oil doctor gets released again during this christmas , by the next easter festival the Nigerian police would definately have a very difficult task of getting him arrested again !

Ajayi Olupona

It is better to keep a man like this in Prison ! He is nolonger interested in that honourable medical profession ! Here is one of those dangerous and greedy medical doctors that is capable of doing anything simply to make fortunes ! Our hospitals and clinics are safer without these sorts of dangerous professionals !

the hardcore

i still maintained that he took his birthright because that oil money is a collective soverign resource alas our politicans cum economic bucanneers cannot put up a strong superstructural development in naija so how much do u nthink it takes to train a doctor with enormous responsibilites. i have one in my family scarifricing all he could to humanity yet could not buy a car or pay his house rent, u are just there asking for his death , wake up guy, nigeria is in principle not practice.the DOCTOR I HAIL THEE OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR USING YOUR CERCBRAL FUNCTION VERY WELL u are my hero not these pretenders here, after all, u are not armed with gun, it is with your God given wits ride on BIG UNCLE

frank

he is a greedyman,let him go for jail

Dr. M

Please get your facts right .I was part of the graduating class in 2004 and I dont Know who this guy is.He certainly never graduated from UNIJOS not to talk of medicine

A Okoro

Sad story,One is fortunate to be trained as a Doctor should really stick to that profession, everything in life is not always lucrative and big profit money money.This is probably the reason for his unfortunate misadventures in his criminal activities.I hope he can pull his head out of this.

Emeka

This guy is criminally minded. Doctors are never too rich but at the same time never too poor. MDCN, NMA should act fast and remove this guy’s name from the register. This criminal must never be exposed to any patient. Our image is at stake in this matter.

jussy

this is good 4 Nigeria, every born child suppose to be entitle to our oil money but we are not getting it, please make una release this man make i join him.

jussy

At the same time,, this man made a wrong choice of career, he is never destined to be a doctor. He may be in politic.

Okomo, S.S

To say I’m disappointed with Odiba is an understatement. Odiba is a bundle of disgrace to the ever lucrative medical profession and educated elites.After going through the rudiment in medical profession could subject himself to flimsy excuses of family pressures. I strongly doubt if he truly passed out from the university of jos.

Olu the law.

Why is this man even accepting that he is a vandal. He should have denied it. Now it may be difficult for a lawyer like myself to defend this Man.Oh I am thinking maybe he was forced to make all these unsubstantiated self destructive allegations.Does anyone here know where this man is being held?

Edo M

The pretentious acrimony towards doctors reflect in most comments in this news feature. A lawyer-turned vandal would not attract so much comments.

Nats

Odiba, even though we haven’t had contact in a long while and to give a complete account of your present character due to the dynamism of the human mind, I will not rush to condemn you like others will. I know that inside this huge body of yours lies a good heart who will give all he has to make others happy. Born with a silver spoon, admired by those of us who knew you from childhood. You were determined to succeed in life despite that your father lost all his financial fortune due to the Warri crisis, as the first born, you began to cater for your younger ones and even parents while still a student in Unijos. I remember dt as a student you were not ashamed or lazy to run a taxi business despite those who didn’t know the change of events at the home front still saw you as an ‘ajebo’ but I knew you being responsible.
Biggie as we fondly call him in U. Jay then is a graduate of human anatomy and never was a doctor, I didn’t know that the drive to regain your father’s lost financial glory and pressure of taking care of the family responsibility your now ill father has left for you will take you on the part of criminality.
Biggie, though I condemn crime and its tendencies, my heart weeps for you, I do not deny you as a younger brother and a friend, I pray to God that he cause his mercies to find you that you may have a second chance to make it right.

Jyde

obene1
Odiba, you are a disgrace to the medical profession, and all JUMSITES in particular. Your allusion that few people attend hospital nowadays owing to their preference to self medication is false, hollow and farcical.The fact is; you barely trained and barely practiced.
You spent 8yrs reading medicine (instead of 6yrs) and your employment with Delta Oil Producing Commission was terminated after only 6months — these are academic and character indicators.
Any sanctions from NMA or MDCN ?

@Obene1,
I don’t usually post comments in things like this but I felt the necessity to put you right on a couple of notion or allusions. A sick goat is a goat howbeit. No need to cast aspersions on his training or practice experience or the profession. The problem is with the person and I, in agreement with you, believe the fellow has immense character flaws and no excuse is enough to justify whatever he claims.
For anyone through medical school during the instability period (Abacha through the early years of Obasanjo), 7-10 years was the absolutely normal length of medical training owing to the incessant labor actions. FYI, I spent 9 years in medical training, and so did over 200 of my classmates.

dutchman

Why are we all talking like saints. I believe if most of us have similar opportunity we will not stop at being middleman 4 vandals , we will even head 4 d pipeline as well . A gigantic conflagration(corruption) as already destroyed our beautiful edifice (nigeria). Let dat thing which took place in tunisia ,libya,egypt happen in nigeria. We need join syria in this struggle.

Tiger Eye

I have checked the register of medical doctors in Nigeria, and his name was not found. This confirms that he is NOT A MEDICAL DOCTOR. I don’t mean for impersonation to be added to the charges against him. I feel sad for him that he finds himself where he is presently. Even though there is no excuse for criminality, I will advise the authorities concerned (most of whom are “fellow vandals”) to attempt to rehabilitate this fellow, rather than punish him for doing exactly what our leaders are doing. This is not an endorsement of criminality, but facing the fact about the true Nigerian situation. Our justice system must follow the all-or-none principle with no room for “sacred-cows”. If “all” cannot be charged for criminality, then “none” should. Let Nigeria remain so until either the leadership becomes responsible, or the followership rises up for a revolution. QED

Austin

This is lazy journalism.Sensational headline without supporting evidence!There is no evidence that this guy graduated from Unijos as a doctor neither is he on the doctors register.Responsible journalism would require that you cross check facts before publishing instead of misleading readers.This is a disgrace to punch newspapers.A simple call to the university or check on the MDCN site to confirm if he is a doctor is all that is needed.Gosh I feel like punching this punch journalist!!Misleading the public seems to be their trade.

femi

Austin, you just read my mind. I have read most comments about this article and i fear for our nation. Most people dont first ponder about what they hear not even trying to confirm the facts. This is not journalism at all as the guys name does not appear on MDCN list of doctors. I wish MDCN and Unijos can kindly confirm if it is true but to me it is just another form of BRAIN VANDALISM by the journalist.

A A

This guy is lying. I graduated as a med doctor from UJ in 2004 and he was not in my class. He wasn’t even in medical school. Please punch check ur details b4 publishing lies.

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